POKPHYKIO. 127 



Genus PORPHYRIO, Briss. 

 Porphyrio caeruleus (VamlelU). 



Porpbyrio vetenun, Baedeker, Bier Eur. To(/. tab. 44. fig. G (1855-63) ; 



Dresser, Birds Eur. vii. p. 299 (1876). 

 Porphyi'io hyacinthimis, Salviii, B)iji, 1859, p. 361 ; Bree, Birds Eur. iv. 



p.' 77, pi. — (1867) ; 2nd ed. v. p. 44, pi. — (1876) ; Saunders, Ibis, 



1871, p. 225. 

 Porphyrio caeruleus, Sharpe, Cat. Birds B. M. xxiii. p. 194 ('1894) ; id, 



Hand-l. i. p. 108 (1899). 



The eggs of the European Purple Gallinule vary in form from 

 oval to elliptical, and they have very little gloss. The ground 

 ranges from cream-colour to pinkish buff and this is marked, rather 

 thickly, with specks, spots and, sometimes, with small blotches of 

 reddish brown, chocolate-brown and pale pur])le. The markings 

 on the majority of the eggs are well-defined and roundish in shape ; 

 on a few they are blotchy and blurred at the edges. The markings 

 are somewhat larger and more numerous at the broad end. Twelve 

 specimens measure from 2 to 2-25 in length, and from 1*35 to Vb 

 in breadth. 



2. Goto de Douana, Andalucia {H. Seebohm Coll. 



Saunders). 



3. Plava de la Resina, Seville, 23rd April Seebohm Coll. 



(H. S.). 



2. North Africa. Gould Coll. 



1. Zaua, Algeria (O. Salvin). Salvin-Godman Coll. 



1. Zaua, 6th .Tune (O. .S'.). Salvin-Godman CoU. 



1. Zana, itth June (O. <S'.). Salvin-Godman Coll. 



1. Zana, 10th June (O. S.). Salvin-Godman Coll. 



1. Zana, 15th Jime (O. S.). Salvin-Godman Coll. 



Porphyrio poliocephalus (Lath.). 

 (Plate X. fig. 3.) 



Porphyrio poliocephalus, Legge, Birds Cegl. p. 795 (1880) ; Oates ed. 

 Hu/ne, Nests S)- Eggs Ind. B.iii. p. 384 (1890) ; Barnes, Juurn. Bomb. 

 Nat. Hist. Soc. vi. p. 135, pi. — . fig. 902 (1891) ; Sliarpe, Cat. Birds 

 B. M. xxiii. p. 197 (1894) : Dresser, Birds Eur. ix. (Suppl.) p. 333 

 (1896) ; Skarjje, Hand-l. i. p. 108 (1899). 



The eggs of the Indian Blue Gallinule are on the average smaller 

 than those of P. ca;ruleus, but do not otherwise differ in any 

 essential particular. They measure from I'To to 2-15 in length, 

 and from 1'23 to I'-Id in breadth. 



1 . India. Purchased. 



6. Eastern Narra, Sind (S. Doig). Hume Coll. 



3. Lovah Bridge, Etawah, 23rd Aug. Hume Coll. 



(W. E. Brooks). 



3. Lovah Bridge, 25th Aug. ( If. E. B.). Hume CoU. 



1. Utchulda, Etawah, 8th Aug. (Jr. Hume Coll. 



E. B.). 



2. Utchulda, IStb Aug. ( W. E. B.). Hume Coll. 



